platform

Unlike any previous major party platform, the final draft of the 2016 Democratic platform explicitly calls for the repeal of the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits the use of federal funds for abortion except in cases of rape, incest and the life of the mother.

The concern with Trump isn’t so much about his differences with the platform as it is with his inconsistencies and at times undefined positions. The presumptive Republican nominee prides himself on being “flexible,” a trait that carries appeal among many voters but that creates some anxiety among party leaders hoping to forge consensus on an overall agenda.

A group of Republican operatives and officials will announce a project devoted to safeguarding the platform. The group, spearheaded by Arizona Republican National Committeeman Bruce Ash and prominent GOP attorney Jim Bopp, will focus on ensuring that like-minded conservatives secure slots on the 112-member Platform Committee. And when the committee meets at the convention, the group will work to ensure that conservatives work in concert toward the same goal.